Those involved with the so-called Gentleman’s Club in Elgin have run into Internal Revenue Service problems, as you can see from the press release below.
So, Grafton Township is not the only local entity with Federal tax problems.
Grafton Township’s problems are small compared to these, however.
OPERATORS OF ELGIN ADULT ENTERTAINMENT CLUB AND ALLEGED INTERNET GAMBLING BUSINESS CHARGED WITH CONCEALING MORE THAN $4 MILLION OF INCOME FROM THE IRS
CHICAGO — The operators of an adult entertainment club in Elgin were charged today with
- conspiracy to impede the Internal Revenue Service in the collection of federal taxes, as well as separately
- operating an illegal Internet gambling business,
in connection with allegedly diverting more than $4 million in unreported income to themselves from the two businesses.
Patrick Fitzgerald
The defendants,
- Anthony Buttitta and
- his father, Dominic Buttitta,
were charged in a two-count criminal information filed in U.S. District Court, announced Patrick J. Fitzgerald, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois; Alvin Patton, Special Agent-in-Charge of the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation Division in Chicago; and Robert D. Grant, Special Agent-in-Charge of the Chicago Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Anthony Buttitta, 42, of St. Charles, and Dominic Buttitta, 69, of South Barrington, were each charged with one count of conspiracy to defraud the United States by obstructing the IRS in the collection of taxes and one count of operating an illegal gambling business. They will be ordered to appear for arraignment at a later date in U.S. District Court. The Buttittas operate Blackjacks Gentlemen’s Club in Elgin through Elgin Entertainment Enterprises, Inc., which manages Blackjacks. Between 2005 and 2009, they also ran an Internet gambling business, including the websites
- Skybook.com,
- Largejoe.com, and
- Theredhotel.com.
The Blackjack's Gentlemen's Club billboard on Route 14 near Lily Pond Road.
According to the charges, both Buttittas filed false federal corporate tax returns for calendar years 2002 through 2009, and false federal individual income tax returns for calendar years 2002 through 2008 that substantially under-reported the total income they received from the operation of Blackjacks and the gambling business.
They allegedly concealed the diverted funds from their tax preparers and the IRS and used the unreported income to acquire personal property and to pay personal expenses.
The charges allege that the defendants received approximately $3,704,959 from “house” fees they collected from women for each shift they worked as dancers at Blackjacks.
Anthony Buttitta directed club employees to maintain logs of the house fee collections, and both defendants later destroyed and caused the destruction of the log sheets, the charges allege. They also placed agents of their Internet gambling business on the payroll of another company to provide the employees with the appearance of a legitimate source of income and benefits. In return, the charges allege that they solicited and received kickbacks in the form of cash from the agents and concealed the payments from their tax preparers, bookkeepers and the IRS.
The defendants allegedly received approximately $1 million in gross wagers from the gambling business between 2005 and 2009, and made approximately $400,000 in net profits.
The charges seek forfeiture of $400,000 as illegal proceeds.
At various times between 2005 and 2008, the defendants allegedly obtained unreported income from individuals as payment of losing wagers in the form of direct payments toward the purchase of a $2.9 million condominium in Las Vegas and a condominium in Costa Rica, as well as personal credit card payments.
In 2005 and 2006, Anthony Buttitta used approximately $400,000 in cash to pay for building and acquiring his home in St. Charles, according to the charges.
Each count carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine, and restitution is mandatory. In addition, defendants convicted of tax offenses must pay the costs of prosecution and remain liable for any and all back taxes, as well as a civil fraud penalty of 75 percent of the underpayment plus interest. If convicted, the Court must impose a reasonable sentence under federal statutes and the advisory United States Sentencing Guidelines.
The government is being represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Patrick King.
The public is reminded that an information contains only charges and is not evidence of guilt. The defendants are presumed innocent and are entitled to a fair trial at which the government has the burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
Hope the charges “stick”. United States Attorney Fitzgerald needs do spend a little time in McHenry county and help get us straightened out.
Certainly not saying all people in South Barrington are thieves, but there is a whole lot of big money that floats around that community and some questionable property owners.
I’d like to think it’s all hard earned money, but let’s be realistic.
Real gentlemen do NOT go to sleazy “gentlemen” clubs; wish they’d give these places a more appropriate name. Any suggestions?
like Desperate Dudes Club.
There’s obviously something wrong with the men who go there, and the women who make their living there. And, how about that, dancers paying a “house fee”?
Sounds like another “profession,”
Hope the Feds keep up the pressure wherever these “clubs” and bars front for prostitution.
There is nothing wrong with being a dancer at that club or any other club.
As long as you follow the laws.
There is absolutely nothing wrong with making some extra cash off the guys who come in there.
Its probably your husband who is paying my rent right now!!!
I think your nasty attitude could be the reason men would rather pay for company than sit around with a stuck up high strung bitch of a woman..
It sure seems funny that the real thieves in Washington D.C., and the Wall Street boys who buy (bribe) our politicians ,
They call them Lobbyists ,what a laugh, straight up thieves and Gangsters , NEVER EVER get arrested for their crimes, whats wrong with this picture.
Im a old friend of Dominic Buttitta , I worked with him and his father when he owned a car dealership.
HE is a great family man , and was always very good to me.
So he owns a club , look how many people live off of there jobs there.
Sure lots of married ladys dont like it , but its been here for hundreds of years.
strip clubs .
dont think that clubs across the county do the same thing.
im sure alot of are goverment big shots dont turn every thing in come on guys, cut the bullshit.
Im not saying he did or not , feds go after some drug dealers not a small club that makes jobs , we cant afford to loose many more jobs .
Tommy R 4-b
KARMA’S a bitch
Once a bottom feeder always a bottom feeder
These two ran what could be considered to be the “perfect” business. House fees are what the dancers pay in order to work a shift.
This means that they’re in the negative when their shift starts.
So they must make money or lose money.
Only the most popular dancers earn and stay employed which keeps customers coming back.
Patrons typically pay a cover charge, and spend more to buy drinks/food, etc.
The owners were making a profit from their employees, their bar, and their cover charges.
However, all cash businesses tend to appeal to those who might be tempted by skimming and/or laundering money.
With the properties and businesses listed in the complaint I’m sure they won’t be hurting for money even after it’s all said and done.